London Heathrow Airport is located 24km (15 miles) west of central London.

Airport code

LHR

Airport news

Plans are in place to reconstruct Terminal 1 by 2019.

Transfer between terminals

Terminals 1 and 3 are within walking distance of each other and are connected via underground walkways. Transfers between Terminals 1 and 3, and Terminals 4 (journey time: 8 minutes) and 5 (journey time: 12 minutes) are free on the Heathrow Express train or shuttle bus.

Driving directions

From central London, take the westbound A4 and either continue to the airport site or turn onto the westbound M4 or A30, depending on the terminal. Terminals 1 and 3 can be reached via the M4 (junction 4) and A4, Terminal 4 is reached via the A30, and Terminal 5 can be accessed via the A30 and then the Southern Perimeter Road. All terminals are easily accessible from the M25, either from junction 14 (Terminals 4 and 5) or junction 15 (Terminals 1 and 3).

Car rental

Car hire companies represented at London Heathrow Airport include: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Sixt. Desks for these operators can be found on the arrivals level of each terminal.

Public transport and taxis

Bus: Numerous local buses (tel: +44 343 222 1234; www.tfl.gov.uk) stop at the central bus station (between Terminals 1 and 3) as well as at Terminals 4 and 5. At night, the N9 bus service operates to central London.Coach: Coaches connect London Heathrow Airport to more than 500 destinations throughout the United Kingdom. National Express (tel: +44 871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) is the major service provider.Taxi: London's licensed black cabs serve London Heathrow Airport and are available outside each terminal. Taxis can be booked in advance via Heathrow Taxis (tel: +44 560 367 9412; www.heathrowtaxis.org). The journey time to central London is around 60 minutes and the fare is approximately £80, depending on traffic conditions.Rail: The Heathrow Express (tel: +44 345 600 1515; www.heathrowexpress.com) non-stop train service links London Heathrow Airport to London Paddington Station every 15 minutes (journey time: 15-20 minutes; fare: £20). A cheaper option from Paddington is the twice-hourly Heathrow Connect (tel: +44 345 604 1515; www.heathrowconnect.com), which stops at intermediate stations (journey time: 25 minutes; fare: £9.50 single). For national rail travel information, contact the 24-hour National Rail Enquiries line (tel: +44 845 748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk).Underground: London Heathrow Airport is on the London Underground (tel: +44 343 222 1234; www.tfl.gov.uk) network. Separate stations for Terminals 1 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 are located on the Piccadilly Line, which can take passengers into central London (journey time: 50 minutes; fare: £5.50 – discounted when using an Oyster Card).

Car parking

There is a range of car parking options at London Heathrow Airport. Each terminal has its own short-stay car park: this option is recommended for stays of up to five hours. Long-stay car parks are offered by the airport as well as a number of private operators, including NCP (tel: +44 345 050 7080; www.ncp.co.uk) and Purple Parking (tel: +44 845 450 0808; www.purpleparking.com) – these car parks are linked to the terminals by a courtesy shuttle bus. Bookings for short- and long-stay parking can be made via the airport website (tel: +44 344 335 1000; www.heathrowairport.com).Business and valet parking (which is available at each terminal) is also bookable through the airport's website. Motorbikes can park free of charge in designated areas at each terminal.

Information and help desks

Information desks are located in the arrivals areas of Terminals 1, 4 and 5, as well as in the check-in area of Terminal 3. Help points equipped with airport maps and courtesy telephones are located throughout the terminals and car parks. Roving Passenger Ambassadors can also assist with queries.

Airport Facilities

Money: There are numerous ATMs and bureaux de change facilities in all terminals (both pre- and post-security).Communications: There is a post office in Terminal 3; postboxes and stamps are available in every terminal. Card- and coin-operated public telephones can be found in the main areas of each terminal and mobile telephone charging kiosks are located in the departure lounges. Internet access is available via a paid-for wireless service (free for the first 45 minutes) and at fixed stations in all terminals.Food: There are numerous restaurants, bars, fast-food outlets, coffee shops, pubs and sandwich bars throughout London Heathrow Airport. These include caviar and seafood bars in all terminals and a restaurant run by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey in Terminal 5.Shopping: There is a wide variety of shops in each terminal, including duty-free outlets (for those travelling outside the EU), electrical shops and newsagents. Those looking for the latest in fashion can peruse the various boutiques by British and international designers.Luggage: Left-luggage offices can be found in each terminal, while lost property can be reclaimed from the Airport Lost Property Office (tel: +44 844 824 3115) in Terminal 3. Baggage trolleys are available free of charge in baggage reclaim and other key areas.Other facilities: Other facilities at London Heathrow Airport include multifaith prayer rooms in all terminals, a Christian chapel (between Terminals 1 and 3), showers (post-security in Terminals 3 and 4), spas (in Terminal 3 and Terminal 5) and an art gallery (Terminal 5). There are pharmacies in all terminals: the chemists in Terminals 1 and 5 dispense prescriptions.

Conference and business facilities

There are several airline, business and executive lounges in each terminal; these include the Servisair Executive Lounges in Terminals 1 and 3 and the No.1 Traveller Lounge in Terminal 3, which are open to all travellers for a fee.Extensive meeting and conference facilities are offered by the larger hotels in and around the airport, including the Sofitel London Heathrow (tel: +44 20 8757 7777;www.sofitel.com) at Terminal 5.

Disabled facilities

Special assistance (tel: +44 844 335 1801) is available for disabled passengers at various help points throughout the terminal buildings and car parks. Passengers requiring wheelchairs should contact the individual airlines prior to travel; porters are available to help with wheelchair and baggage assistance.Among the facilities are wheelchair-accessible telephones, reserved seating and disabled toilets in all terminals, while disabled car parking is also available at designated spaces. Text telephones, induction loops and a Minicom information line are available for the hearing impaired.A wheelchair-accessible bus service operates between all terminals and the central bus station. The Heathrow Express, black taxis and many bus and coach operators provide facilities for wheelchairs.

Airport hotels

There are three hotels linked directly to Terminals 4 and 5, while there are many other accommodation options in the immediate vicinity of London Heathrow Airport – a paid-for shuttle bus operates a route linking many of the local hotels. Hotels can be booked via the British Hotel Reservation Centre, which has desks in the arrivals area of each terminal.

Sofitel London HeathrowBoasting a good range of services, the Sofitel is ideal for those travelling on business. There is plenty of space in which to relax, however, with a cocktail bar, restaurant and tea room on offer. Spa and fitness facilities are also available to guests.Terminal 5London Heathrow Airport, United KingdomTel: +44 20 8757 7777.Web: www.sofitel.com

YotelA 'capsule' hotel located in the arrivals hall of Terminal 4, Yotel offers rooms arranged in a cabin-style layout that are booked by the hour. Each room includes a shower, free Wi-Fi internet access and a desk.London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4 ArrivalsMiddlesex, United KingdomTel: +44 20 7100 1100.Web: www.yotel.com

Renaissance London HeathrowRenaissance London Heathrow is within walking distance of London Heathrow Airport's Terminals 1 and 3. The hotel provides parking areas and a range of business facilities, such as meeting space and a business centre. Fitness and dining facilities are also available on site.Bath RoadHounslow, United KingdomTel: +44 20 8897 6363.Web: www.marriott.com

Hilton London Heathrow AirportThe Hilton London Heathrow Airport is a short walk via a covered walkway from Terminal 4, and is linked to Terminal 5 by a shuttle bus service. The hotel has three restaurants, a fitness centre, business services and an indoor swimming pool.Terminal 4 Heathrow AirportLondon, United KingdomTel: +44 20 8759 7755.Web: www3.hilton.com